Royal Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Prince of Qatar and younger brother of the ruling Emir, is no stranger to serious horology. This week's sighting placed him once again wearing the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G — the white gold, khaki green variant that debuted at Baselworld 2019 and became one of the most talked-about sport watch releases of that year.

The ref. 5168G represents the Aquanaut line's most refined expression in terms of precious metal. Its 42.2mm white gold case houses the Calibre 324 S C, a self-winding movement with 45 hours of power reserve, running at 28,800 vph and decorated to Patek's exacting standards with Côtes de Genève and beveled bridges. The khaki green textured dial — Patek calls it 'Tropical Green' — pairs with a matching olive-toned composite strap featuring the Aquanaut's signature embossed pattern. Water resistance is rated to 120 metres, genuine for a dress-sport crossover at this price point.

The 5168G occupies a distinct collector position. Launched alongside the more celebrated 5168A in stainless steel, the white gold variant was produced in far smaller numbers and was never easy to obtain through authorized dealers. The combination of a precious metal case with a sport-casual aesthetic is a recurring Patek formula — seen in the 5711 and 5712 Nautilus family — and it reliably produces pieces that appreciate aggressively on the secondary market. The khaki green color story also anticipated the broader industry pivot toward green dials that dominated the early 2020s.

Sheikh Joaan is a regular presence at international sporting events and has been observed wearing a range of high-end references over the years. His consistent return to the 5168G suggests genuine attachment to the piece rather than rotational display — the hallmark of a collector who wears what he values rather than what signals value.

At UK list the 5168G was priced at approximately £30,390 at launch, translating to roughly $38,000 USD at period exchange rates. On the grey market the picture is considerably different: pre-owned examples trade well above retail, with strong demand from buyers who never had the opportunity to acquire one at authorized dealer price. It remains one of the more liquid Aquanaut references in secondary trading.